How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Singapore Coffee at Home

The Singapore coffee is a brew that is out of this world, and this guide below will help you prepare it perfectly at the comfort of your home. Singapore’s kopi-coffee is famous and delicious, and the Kopitiams which sell these coffee products are located in almost every corner of this island country. This is because the preparation method used in Singapore and the mix of Robusta and Arabica beans in the preparation of its coffee provides it with its thick, bitter-sweet and caramel-like taste most preferred by the people in Singapore and other clients.

Looking at enjoying your cup of Singapore coffee at home? Here is the best guide on how to do it right.

Ingredients You Need

• Robusta coffee beans – Most coffee selling companies in Singapore use this type of coffee beans as it make their coffee thick with a bitter taste. Make sure you use medium or dark roast Robusta beans.
• Optional : Arabica coffee beans; Put it to add an aroma and to minimize the bitterness of the coffee. Try using Arabica-Robusta blend or just Robusta beans will do fine.
• White sugar or ‘gula melaka’ (palm sugar) – While it is common to use white sugar, ‘gula melaka’ is used in some recipes due to its caramel-like taste.
• Olive oil – It lends a silky mouthfeel needed in a Singapore coffee recipe.
• Water – clean water, purified and with no minerals is the most important and required commodity. Ideally, use filtered water but any bottled cold water will do nicely.

Equipment

• Burr coffee grinder: Ensure that the beans are ground fine powder as recommended for this preparation method.
• Fine sieve or lightly seived muslin cloth – To filter the ground coffee mixture.
• Coffee press/French press (optional) – a tool used to press the coffee grounds to make it extra strong.
• Coffee sock (optional) – The bag used in the preparation of coffee in which the grinds used to steep the coffee are placed in. Cotton socks work too.
• Porcelain cups that are used in what we commonly refer to today as Mug or Kopitiam style

Brewing Method

1. Combine 2 large spoonfuls of finely ground Robusta coffee beans into a muslin cloth, cotton sock or French press. Pour a little hot water into it and mix it around just enough to dampen the grinds.
2. Boil about 8 oz. in a kettle or pot, then add water according to your preference. Do not allow the soup to boil but remove the heat just after the soup has begun to boil. After 30 seconds, wait for bubbles to stop floating to the surface.
3. Pour hot water gently from one side of the carafe over the grounds in a circular motion from side to side. Ensure that there is some space for the grounds to expand as it happens when they absorb water.
4. Place and let coffee sock/press to steep for 5 minutes, applying moderate pressure on the grounds and the side of the container in the middle of the process. This agitation brings out the oils of the coffee for that extra flavoring.
5. Before the final one minute use 1-2 tablespoon sugar and 1-3 tablespoon condensed milk to pour into the mug or cup where you intend to serve the tea. Add more sugar and more heavy cream depending on the preference of the persons savoring the dish.
6. Pour or squeeze the steeped mixture into the cup and leave few fine grounds on the surface of the liquid for a more traditional look. Stir briefly.
7. If you do not want the sediment to settle on the bottom of the glass, swirl the final drops before you take the last sip of your perfectly brewed Singapore-style coffee.

Tips

• Filter with boiling but not scalding water, hot water around 90-95°C (194-203°F) gives the best extraction.
• They like to grind beans right before brewing so that the coffee is as fresh as possible.
• Experiment with Arabica-Robusta bean ratios to be able to identify the best blend.
• After brewing coffee add milk as desired to reach sweetener and creaminess.
• They should take coffee before it is next in line for serving as it has the best taste within the first 10 minutes.

And now, sit back, relax, and enjoy your Singapore-style kopi which is aromatic and smooth after brewing! One of the beauty of the product is that it can be easily adjusted and changed over the years to attain a more preferred cup.